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Duke Energy Sets New Energy Usage Record

Duke Energy has recently reported a remarkable achievement in electricity consumption during a prolonged period of severe cold in the Carolinas. From January 20, 2025, when the area experienced about 65 hours of freezing temperatures, the company managed to successfully deliver power under extreme conditions. The peak usage recorded on January 23 reached 37,387 megawatt-hours (MWh), surpassing the previous record of 36,670 MWh set back in February 2015.

As Duke Energy's Vice President of Grid Operations, Ben Harrison, pointed out, the importance of reliable energy generation becomes apparent during extreme weather events. He praised the dedication of the crews across power plants and control rooms, emphasizing their round-the-clock efforts to ensure that customers received their power needs met even in harsh conditions. His acknowledgment reflects the urgency and commitment required by the energy sector during crises.

To meet the growing needs of their customers, Duke Energy utilizes a diverse energy portfolio, combining nuclear, natural gas, hydroelectric, and coal resources. This mixed approach allows for significant flexibility in addressing spikes in demand, which are anticipated to rise with ongoing economic growth in the region.

Energy Saving Tips

During such cold spells, it's also essential for customers to adopt energy-saving practices to minimize costs. Duke Energy offers several strategies to help residents manage and reduce their energy usage when temperatures drop, including:

• - Lowering thermostats to maintain comfort while conserving energy.
• - Setting water heaters to a temperature below 120 degrees to reduce energy usage, as water heating typically accounts for a significant portion of total energy bills.
• - Utilizing natural sunlight by keeping drapes open during the day and closing them at night to retain heat.
• - Adjusting ceiling fans to run clockwise to redistribute warm air that rises.
• - Sealing drafty windows with insulating film to prevent heat loss.

By implementing these practices, customers can see a noticeable difference in their energy consumption and overall costs. Furthermore, Duke Energy provides personalized energy usage alerts to help customers monitor their energy consumption actively. With alerts set up through the company's digital service, customers can receive notifications when usage approaches their pre-defined limits.

Commitment to Clean Energy

Duke Energy is not only focused on meeting immediate energy demands but is also committed to transitioning towards a cleaner energy future. The company aims for net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas operations by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This is backed by significant investments in renewable energy, energy storage, and grid modernization, ensuring that Duke Energy maintains reliability and affordability as it moves toward sustainable energy solutions.

The company serves 8.4 million customers across multiple states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The vast energy resources managed by Duke Energy solidify its position as one of the largest utility companies in America. For continued updates, customers and interested individuals can follow Duke Energy on social media platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

With such advancements in energy management and ongoing infrastructure upgrades, Duke Energy is well-equipped to support its customers during both regular operations and exceptional weather conditions. The company's commitment to both energy reliability and sustainability demonstrates its proactive approach to navigating the diverse challenges of the energy market today.